Author Note: as Promised! which by the way, I was almost not going to update today because I didn't have a lot of time and I was really tiered from being cooped up in the car, but I did anyways and I should be practicing my dancing right now, but I'm not :D! Woohoo! Anyways. Lately I have no idea where i want this story to go, but I want to gradually make it so that they both change, meaning Zuko isn't as cold. So yeah(: ...

x x Chapter 5 x x

It was early morning and the sun was just showing in the sky. Zuko had woken up first, as always. He loved the feeling of the sun running through his blood, but he would have liked to sleep in more. His eyes lingered to the girl clutching to his side as his thoughts went to his ex best friend. He never knew how men could force themselves onto women. Zuko grew up in a home where concubines were normal and women paraded around half naked. It disgusted him- minded he never saw Iroh with a women by his side.

His hand slowly brushed a strand of hair away from Katara's face. What was he suppose to do? Does he court her now? Do people still court one another? He went and told her he wanted to marry for love which was true. Ever since he was younger, he knew that his bride would be chosen for him. Yet he always wanted to marry with love. Never in his wildest dreams though, did he ever imagine marrying a water bender- let alone one he already knew and had once detested.

"She probably won't be up for a few more hours..." He thought silently, his mind wondering about. They would be in the Fire Nation soon which meant more work. It was always work for him and he supposed this had been a nic mini vacation.

"Katara was still in her dress..." He mumbled lightly as his eyes drifted down her form.

He had to admit, she was gorgeous, even asleep. Her breasts were practically falling out as she laid there. Wait, he said gorgeous, not hot. Minded that she was incredibly hot.

Katara stirred lightly in his arms, her head snuggling against his chest as she let out a soft sigh.

"katara..." Zuko silently whispered

"not now Sokka, cook your own fish..."

Zuko silently chuckled to himself. He mentally reminded himself to mention that she would never have to cook anyone fish anymore- and that he was far from being a Sokka. He waited another half an hour until he begin to grow bored, not to mention Katara was putting his right arm to sleep. Playfully, Zuko nudged her. Let the courting begin.

"Katara,"he said, his voice soft as he stroked her hair. Her eyes had open slightly and she groaned.

"I don't care if you're a fire bender... I want sleep," she said softly as she smiled.

"Are you feeling better?"

"I'm fine, almost forgot the whole entire thing. The past is the past after all,"

He knew she still remembered last night events and help him if he didn't rip Jin's head off the moment he sees him. Instantaneously he was planning ways to punish him. Sometimes he loved his jobs, especially when it was involving something he enjoyed. Punishing people who deserved it? What could be any better? Katara was still trying to wake up, she figured that she would have to get use to it after all.

"I have you know, you called me Sokka and refused to cook me fish," he chuckled

Katara giggled suddenly, " It was always my duty to make breakfast at home"

"Even if you're a princess?"

"Titles aren't anything else, but a lable," she stated

"Well you don't have to cook for anyone anymore. The palace has a full staff,"

"When will we be arriving anyways?" She questioned as she yawned slowly.

"Probably in a few hours or less, Uncle Iroh should know more,"

There was a sudden silence as the two realized how close they were. Katara tried to wiggle away as Zuko suddenly pulled her closer.

"You're making it cold," Zuko said as his arms wrapped around her again.

"You're a fire bender!" she laughed, "You're like a human heater."

"But you're better than any heat," he added with a small smirk

Katara blushed suddenly, her head buried in the pillow when she suddenly remembered that Zuko wanted to marry someone who loves him. Perhaps this was him being ... Nice. Weird. They spend most of their relationship hating one another and suddenly it was going to change. More Weird. They spend a few hours in bed talking about anything that they could. Their past, their presents, even their future together.

"So, how often do you visit your people?" Katara asked getting up for the afternoon.

"What do you mean?" Zuko was putting on his attire as his crown was placed in a small top knot.

"I mean, go out for a stroll, say hello, see what needs to be done,"

"Oh, I don't. That is part of my guards' job, to report to me anything bad,"

"Your... guards?" Katara sounded slightly taken back.

"Yeah, why?"

There was an awkward silence in the room as the two look at each other.

"So you don't do anything outside of the palace?"

"I don't have time," Zuko stated, "Besides, who wants to walk among commoners."

Katara saw red. How was it possible that Zuko was so loving and nice and then suddenly he was a completely jackass?

"Commoners? They're your people! Without them, you would have no nation to rule!"

"Well whoever goes out and "greets" the people obviously has no life. My job requires me in the throne room, not outside."

"So I have no life then? I made time every week, sometimes twice a week to see how everyone is!" Katara screamed as she looked at the Fire Lord.

"Well, you obviously didn't have a lot to do then. The Fire Nation isn't as small as the Water Tribe. I have a lot to do,"

Zuko obviously didn't realize what he had said. At that moment Katara went up to him and gave him a hard slap on the cheek.

"Haven't you ever made time to visit your people, Zuko? Have you ever gave them a gold coin before and saw their face light up? Tell me, When have you ever did anything outside of your tiny little office!"

"Do not EVER tell me what to do Peasant. You will learn your place." Zuko yelled, his voice irratated at the truth Katara was spilling. His cheek was beginning to sting.

"No, you will fix yours."

Katara walked out angrily, her voice agitated as she slammed the door shut. How the hell did they ended up lovey dovey one moment and angry the next?

"Stupid arrogant Fire bender, Cocky Prince."

"Stupid Water tribe peasant freaking princess."

Katara didn't know where she was heading, but she knew it was away from Zuko. Luckily she hear Iroh's cheerful voice saying he saw land. Without even thinking she ran to the deck and jumped off the side, her water bender making a small tide for her to go faster on her own.

"KATARA," Zuko yelled as he finally reached the deck, "What the hell are you doing?"

Uncle iroh made his way to his nephew, his eyes glued on the retreating back of the soon to be Fire Lady.

"Prince Zuko, you do realize that a young lady shouldn't be alone in Fire Nation right? Especially one whose about to rule the land."

Zuko gulped, his breathe caught in his throat. He mentally hit himself. No wonder she was so mad. Katara was the freaking mother of the gang and he had just indirectly insulted her. He didn't mean to say she had no life. He just wanted to say that he was too busy all the time. Besides, he hated doing work and greeted people was work! He was affable or sweet like Katara, people saw him and bowed in fear. FEAR! Like he was his father or something. Just like his father...

"What are you going to do nephew?"

Zuko was mentally freaking out. If Katara stepped one foot in the red light district she would be eaten alive. mind that she was a water master, there were some rough people there who would love feisty women. "I don't know uncle, do i hit her with a fire bolt? would that stop her?"

Iroh smacked Zuko lightly on the head, "you're joking right?"

"I messed up big time..." Zuko groaned, his face buried in his hands as he barked order to the crew.

x x x

Katara knew it was reckless to go off on her own. The only time she was in the fire nation was when they invaded the land. At least this time she didn't have to steal someone else's clothes she noticed as she realized she had on her party dress still. She felt eyes glued on her as she walked through the street. Sure, she didn't have the same pale skin as the other women, but was she ugly or something? was something on her face? She mentally sighed. Maybe she should have stay on the ship. After all, she knew Zuko was a big prat. He probably didn't even realize what he was saying until she slapped him. But boy did satisfaction run through her blood as her hand hit his skin. Cruel, yes, but he really did deserve in it some ways. He was the freaking Fire Lord! How dare he not make time for his people. The water bender noted that she only had a few hours of light left. She didn't know when the sun exactly set, but she didn't want to stay alone in a country she barely knew. She could make her way to the palace, but Zuko would probably blow her head off. What was it with boys? You give them a crown and they think they're king of the world.

"Well, technically Zuko is the Fire Lord... so he ruled a part of the world. A small part. tiny part." she thought silently to herself.

"are you lost lady?" a small voice cried out

Katara turned around to see a small girl. She looked worn out as she held onto a small over used doll. Her clothes were slightly dirty as her brown hair was tied up loosely into a pony tail. If she cleaned up a bit, she would have looked like a small porcelain doll.

"Ah, it seems to be my first time around this area sweet heart. Where's your mom and dad?"

The little girl shifted around silently, her face glued to the ground as Katara's heart sunk. Could it be...

"They died a while ago..." The girl let out in a small voice.

"Do you live by yourself then, dear?" Katara asked as she kneeled down to her level.

"No! I live with my brothers in a small house," her eyes sparkled, "My name's rose!"

"i'm Katara, Rose. That's such a pretty name, nice to meet you."

"This, this is why Zuko should get out more. In just thirty minutes into the Fire Nation, I've already met a homeless girl." The water bender mumbled quietly. Katara felt the money bag tied to her side as she smiled brightly, "Rose, would you like to take me to your brothers? I'll treat you all to something yummy!"

Rose jumped with joy as her small hand wrapped around Katara's. The small innocent smile reminded the water master that not all of the Fire nation was bad and evil. It was just 5 minutes until they reached the worn out house, 2 more kids walking out suddenly greeting the small girl.

"you guys, this is Katara! She said she'll treat us to something yummy!"

Katara always got along with children. She was a natural mother, but her heart hurt seeing this. No one deserved to be homeless and no one deserved to lose their family.

"Are you really going to give us something" a small boy asked. He too looked a bit disheveled. His hair reached down to his shoulder, he kind of reminded her of Zuko when he first cut his pony tail off. He had on a shirt that was two sizes too big and tried to put on the tough guy look.

The eldest of the kids stepped up; Now he definitely reminded her of Zuko. He had the same jet black hair and the same body structure. Someone could mistaken them as distance brothers even. His skin was slightly darker, but no doubt, he had fire bender eyes. Given that she thought Zuko was a little nicer, his was still a fiery shade of fire. "Nice to meet you. I'm Haku and he's Yue."

"Nice to meet you all, and of course I'll treat you guys to something good." She said smiling, her hand gently patting Yue on his head, "While I'm at it, why don't we all go shopping?" She mentioned, her mind remembering the large amount she had taken with her before leaving her home land. She was suppose to use the money to replace the clothes she had given away, but she would have liked to give this small family a day of paradise instead. The small children's eyes lit up at the mention of shopping, but Haku looked at her bewildered.

"Who are you to help us, we can't give you anything back."

"Can you all keep a secret for a bit?" She asked softly looking at the small head nod, "I'm katara, and I'm going to be the Fire Lady soon. When that happens I'll make sure you guys are in a proper home together."

The children cheered as they ran about smiling. Katara felt happy. She loved making people glad. Haku looked at her. She could have only imagined how he must have felt. He looked like he was her age, maybe even older and already he had lost everything. Katara was lucky. She lost her mom, but she still had Sokka and she knew her father was alive somewhere. She had the help of her village, who did they have...?

"Thank you," he said softly

"How old are you Haku?"

"I'm 17, my parents were killed in the war and I ran into Rose and Yue while escaping. We've been together ever since." He said as he smiled at the two children running around.

"Can you fire bend?" She asked curiously as she noticed his suddenly shift.

Katara looked at him and silently she bender a stream of water from the ground, the little kids stopped their laugher to look curiously at the bender.

"I'm 16 and I'm the Water Tribe princess. My mom was killed by the fire nation a long ago, but now I'm marrying the Fire Lord to keep peace, strange world hm?" She said laughing, "Come up, let's have some fun before the big bad king comes to find me!"

Rose and Yeu smiled, their eyes big with wonder as they ran down the street cooing at all the stuff around them. Haku walked idly with Katara, his eyes watching his siblings as they reached out to grab various items. "You guys don't get too much" he said suddenly. Katara laughed, her voice joyous as she told him it was alright. She reached over to a small stand and picked up a blue shirt.

"I think this would look wonderful on you, Haku!"

x x x

"What do you guys say?" Haku asked as they all sat down at the table

"thank you katara!" they cried happily.

They had spend hours going around the shopping center. All of them, much to Haku's resistance, had gotten new clothes. Rose got a new doll and Yue got some small toys to play with. Haku kept eyeing a small sword and Katara kept trying to buy it for him, but he rejected her offer. He told her that she was doing more than enough for them already. She ordered them a feast using the rest of her money to buy as much as she could and watched as the kids dugged in. haku who looked at the food hungrily waited until rose and yue filled their plate before filling his. He was such a nice guy.

"princess katara," Rose said suddenly

"yes rosey?"

"is it true that you were in the Avatar gang that defeated the former Fire Lord?" Yue asked

"yes i was," she said smiling as all eyes were glued on her, "would you guys like to hear the story?"

"you betcha!" haku said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as Katara giggled softly

"it all started when we found Aang in an iceberg..."

x x x

It had been 4 hours. 4 long hours that zuko had been searching for katara. Sure, the fire nation was big, but this was ridiculous. She didn't even know where to go! The sun was setting soon and he was getting worried. What if she got kidnapped? What if, right now, she was being harassed? She could probably take care of herself, but she was his fiance. He had to worry. She might be a big know if all water bender, but he needed to worry about her. Suddenly he heard her laugh, her familiar unique laugh that could cheer anyone up. He looked around and spotted her at the table with the small group and marched over.

"So Aang finally got courage and -"

"Fire Lord, Sir" Haku gasped out as he stood up to bow, Yue and Rose soon following as they imitated their older brother.

"Katara where have you been!" he yelled suddenly

"I took Haku and his brother and sister out to shop." she stated nonchalantly as she pointed to the indivuals. Slowly she continued on with her story

"I was worried sick that you could have gotten hurt!" He said as small steams rose from his clutch fists.

Katara looked up at him and guilt ran through her. Of course he would have been worried. She jumped off the side of his ship and ran away. He grabbed his hand as she stood up "You guys, keep eating for a moment kay?" She said as she pulled Zuko to the side.

"And who are those people?" Zuko asked irritatedly

"Remember when I said you should go out to your people more?" katara asked softly

"Yeah" Zuko quickly answered.

"And remember when you said it was a waste of time?" The water bender continued.

"Yeah and then you smacked me," the Fire Lord said with a small annoyed look.

"Well... forget about that. I'll make it up to you," She said suddenly, "Anyways, you see those two little kids and Haku over there?"

Zuko looked over and saw Rose trying to slip more meat onto Haku's plate. He quickly told her that he didn't need it though and gave it back. "What about them?"

"they're homeless. Their parents died in the war and Haku had been taken care of them."

Zuko looked at her as though she had just told him his dad came back to life.

"that's impossible," Zuko said quickly, "I would have known!"

"How Zuko? How would you have known? You barely go outside."

Zuko hated being wrong. He hated admitting he was wrong. The word "WRONG," did not exist in his vocabulary, but he saw where Katara was coming from and did something he never thought he'd ever do. He walked over to the table and bowed. Haku dropped a piece of meat from his chopsticks as he watched as the Fire Lord bowed down to him instead.

"I'm sorry that i have been ignoring my duty as your lord. I promise you three that I shall provide you with a proper housing where you can live peacefully and well."

Katara watched from the side. Zuko was annoying. She did use to detest him before. But when he wanted to be, he was sweet and kind. Her heart softened toward the bender as she watched Rose and Yue jumped on him. Mentally she laughed as Haku tried to pull them off of the FIre Lord, but she saw the small smile on Zuko's face as the children tackled him with gratitude.

"Yue! Rose! Get off of him!" Haku said sternly as he apologized continuously to Zuko.

Zuko decided to ignore his duties for a little bit and continue with the small feast that Katara had started. He sat and listened as Rose told him how Katara had brought them all new things and noticed how the water bender blushed slightly. He knew she didn't do it for thanks, but out of the goodness of her heart. It was people like her that made zuko regret everything that happened in the past. He regretted that he had once hated her. He regretted that he had once tried to attack her. He even regretted that she had to be bounded to him for life now. Zuko had order them more food to go and walked to the small wooden box that Haku called a home. He looked at them as they waved silently, happiness written on the little kids face as Haku thanked them once again.

"Haku, I'll come visit again tomorrow okay?" Katara said as she gave Yue and Rose a small hug.

Zuko never noticed it before. He never realized how one meal could cause so much happiness. He didn't realize how time could make someone smile so much and saying goodbye could be fun and not sad. He mentally made a small note that tomorrow he would move them into a better home. Something more than just a small broken down shack.

"Katara," Zuko said as he lead her to the palace, the people on the street watching in amazement as they saw their leader out in public.

"Yes, Zuko?" She said, her previous anger toward him gone as she recognized all the hard work he had done today.

"You were right. I do need to fix my place," he said softly, "but it'll be hard for me. Old habits die hard."

Katara reached out for his hand and smile, "That's why you have me with you. Besides, we're about to defy history and be the first fire bender and water bender ever wed. What else would a fiance do?"

It always seemed like a long walk to Zuko. He hated walking this path alone. Yet suddenly, it came rather too quickly. As they reached the palace, Uncle Iroh came out with a tea pot in hand.

"Yeah, we are going to be married... aren't we?" Zuko said to himself softly as he watched Katara run toward Iroh, her mind racing as she told him about Haku and the others.

x x x

Author note: So okay. Today i spend 4 hours in a car and then rushed onto my computer to write this chapter for everyone. It's weird writing in new characters when i'm so use to all the original Avatar people, but i needed Zuko to progressively change D: Otherwise he wouldn't be Zuko if he suddenly turned nice. o.o Anyways. Haku is 17. Katara is 16. Zuko is 18. Rose and Yue are both 11. I don't really want to make a "love thing" with Katara and Haku, but if you guys want it just tell me? i had other plans. but i can go either way :D! Anyways. Next chapter will be up by sunday or before sunday depending on my schedule. until then(: thank yuu for readinggg.

Chapter 6 Preview.

Zuko looked at Katara as his arms wrapped around her waist. His eyes were more soft, more caring then ever. It was almost as though he was pleading with her not to leave him, not to walk away. He groaned as he looked into her light blue eyes.

"Zuko...?"

"Katara, I don't think you have any idea what the hell you do to me,"

It was far from a quick kiss. Zuko's lips crashed onto Katara's as he felt her relax into his hold. Both seeking something more than just lust. After a few minutes they had pulled away and looked at each other, they breathing heavy as Katara processed what had happened. She had just kissed Zuko and... She liked it? And what, What's wrong with Zuko's pants?